I told you I was way behind!
Nike clearance time always gets me For 95 bucks, I thought I’d give these a shot and I’m really glad I did. This review will be short and sweet since most of the elements of the XXXI went directly to the low. A few important things changed though to make this a great all around performer and my favorite low top in a long long long long long time…and it’s now a new member of my rotation now as it replaces my lone low top, the Kobe IV.
Pros: traction, Zoom feels like Zoom and plays low to the ground, improved fit, support, improved containment
Cons: protruding Zoom in the heel takes a little time to get used to but doesn’t affect stability.
Sizing: runs a little short and tight. Narrow or regular width will probably want to stay true to size but best to try on. Wide footers will want to go up half a size.
Buying Advice: still full size runs even at clearance sale prices of $95. $95 or less is very fair, bottom might be around $70 based on lack of movement at the current clearance price.
Weight
Not the lightest low but perfectly fine for me.
Traction
Finally a solid outsole on the AJ XXXI!
I get it Jordan Brand, translucent looks better . I used to stare at my AJ V, VI and XI’s just because of that beautiful barely blue tint. I used to buy two or three pairs at a time because I couldn’t stand the yellowing. But that was for collecting purposes and for actual balling I could care less.
And as theorized, the solid outsole works great and needs just a little bit of time to break in to really grab. Not top tier but easily better than my Clutchfit Drive 1’s which is the bottom of my rotation in terms of traction yet still not as good as the Curry 2 Rose 7 etc. Still very happy with traction overall though.
Cushioning
Same as the mid which is a good thing. Real Zoom feel although they could have implemented it like the Zoom BB for even better feel. Call me old fashioned but I still really love Zoom when done right and this just how I like it. It is stable and firm yet provides just enough spring that you can feel without any lag. Nice to see you get back to your roots JB, keep bringing this back out please!
Sizing
I went true to size with the mid but the low fits tighter and shorter in the toe box in my true size. My toe was at the front of the shoe with my true size 11 so I went up half a size to 11.5 and the fit was much better for me giving me a forefinger width. If you like a tighter fit or have narrow or regular width feet go true to size.
Fit
Better than the mid, just a nice one to one fit with no heel slippage from the get go. I’ve said it before but Nike/JB is very consistent and make lows better than the rest. I don’t have to fiddle around and make mods, these just go out of the box.
The upper just hugs the foot out of the box like a sock which is what the materials are supposed to do while the heel is locked thanks to the way Nike designs their ankle collars.
Seriously, unless it’s patented, why don’t others don’t copy their design? Whether it’s a budget model or a Kobe or Jordan, I’ve almost never had an issue with heel slip.
Overall just an excellent fit right out the box with no slippage or excess movement.
Materials
Same as the mid with Flyknit covering the front 2/3 and patent or synthetic covering the back. Basically a mullet for sneakers.
Support and Stability
Gotta get that smudge off
Pretty much the same as the mid. All of the support comes from the fit and heel counter so if you want a little more support go with the mid.
Stability is still good overall even though the Zoom protrudes a little.
There is a little tippiness due to the protrusion when walking around but it doesn’t affect stability during play as it compresses. A nice long outrigger just like the mid in the forefoot also aids with stability.
Overall no issues with support or stability just like the mids.
Containment
Surprisingly pretty good. I had some movement in the mids but these seem to do a slightly better job since my foot sits below the black line whereas the mid sat above the line. The containment on the AJ XXXI low is far better than the Melo M12, JC2, JC3, and to a lesser extent the KD IX but not as good as shoes with higher raised midsoles or roll cages like the CLB16 or CE17. Amazing how that little bit of extra midsole and a firmer patent leather heel counter really helps keep my foot in on hard cuts. Not perfect but still very good.
Conclusion
I don’t even remember the release date of the XXXI lows but I’m really glad I picked these up. I really enjoyed playing in these right out of the box and it reminds me a lot of how the original Zoom BB Low played. Fit was excellent with no fiddling around or heel slip and Zoom felt like it should, almost as good as the Zoom BB Mid. Of course as a traction lover, I was very pleased to see and feel the improved traction with the solid outsole. The AJ XXXI Low’s combo of low profile cushioning, excellent fit and traction just make this a very nimble shoe on the court. Dare I say it? This is the best low I’ve played in since the Kobe VI despite weighing four or five ounces more. It might even surpass the Kobe IV which you all know I love to death and is one of the few lows I actually play in still. Removing nostalgia and positive results on court from the past here is a break it down versus the IV.
- Traction: tie
- Cushioning: AJ XXXI Low
- Fit: slight edge to the XXXI Low
- Support and Stabilty: technically a tie but takes time to get used to the protruding Zoom of the XXXI
- Containment: slight edge to the Kobe IV
- Materials: not a big deal to me but softer overall and nice quality feel on the XXXI
So there you have it, a new low that does everything well has made it into my rotation market for under $100. Winner winner chicken dinner!
schwollo.com 
Nice review mate! I’m def on the same page with you. Like the 31, but preferred the lows over the mids. I might scoop up another pair if they go below the $95 mark, but I also wanna try out the 32 really badly (probably not for that $185 price tag though…)
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Haha just wait on the xxx2 like the xxx1 and Xxx and so on.
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I only fux with the 32 now. Good review though! What are you expecting to be the pros and cons of that shoe?
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I think it will play similar to the XXX1 maybe a little more flexible. Haven’t gotten mine yet though
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Wicked review man! And now you got me intrigued. Never plan on copping these but I might once they hit that £50-£60 mark.
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Haha not a bad idea !
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I definitely like the lows better than the mids. The fit is better, I don’t achilles irritation like I do in the mids, and the traction is better. I still don’t like the unlocked zoom in the heel. It feels a touch tippy, but more importantly I get inconsistent traction on heel plants because of the raised zoom section. It’s not terrible, but noticeable enough to be distracting.
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Didnt have that issue myself but everyone is different . On to the 32 !
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Almost bought these after reading this, but I paused because…..
the D Rose 8 is looking like a performance monster. Did you get them yet?
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Just got them but size 11 is huge . Not sure if it’s a defective pair but reordered with a 10.5 so we will see. It looked like a size 12 but fit like an 11.5 longer than the Kd ix lol
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Heard the Rose 8 sizing is a bit big, but that sounds ridiculous. Not sure why adidas struggles to get consistent sizing for their basketball shoes.
Can’t wait to see what you think of them once you get the “right” size in.
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It just doesn’t fit right for me in my normal size and it looks huge next to my
Rose 7. Just trying on it felt good though.
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Thanks for the review, I was kinda sleeping on these but you finally convinced me to try them out.
I bought them for $85ish on ndc and they’re a dream so far.
I have the Kobe IX’s and HD2016 lows in my rotation as well as Soldier 11s, HD2016 Flyknit and Curry 1s and these lows might have cracked the rotation.
My 36 year old knees thank you for the heads up!
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Sweeet glad to help!
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Sadly I am still waiting for a Kobe 8 and Kobe 9 em performance review 😦
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Lol way backed up!
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any chance of dame 4 review soon?
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When I get my hands on them hopefully tomorrow !
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Please any insight, preview of fit !
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Ha will do
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Dame 4 tts?
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I have a thumb width of space true to size and a finger width half size down but width is better for me true to size :/. Half size down for most ppl though
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I am wearing 12. I bought them true to size and they felt short as my toes were touching the toebox. Had to sent them back and get 12.5. They fill a little roomy now and wider but better than jamming your toes in every sprint or jump. Lockdown is good though so even roomy at the front is not a problem.
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Tnx !
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This is my first comment even i follow your reviews since the beginnng. I was sleeping on those and bought the quai54 colourway after your review. I ll take them for a spin next week coz i have a game on Sat and will need some break in time before an official game…. You mentioned THE keyword that made me purchase them without trying them on.. kobe iv… one of the best lows. What made kobe iv and vi (didnt like the v) one of the best lows was that they werent that low like nowdays shoes, they had a little higher colar without sacrificing ankle mobility. The same with 31s the laces go just a little higher than other lows so the lockdown and fit makes it perfect. I wish more shoes like that come out in the future but i doubt it. Thanks for the review and keep doing what you do. Greetings from a greek guy in Netherlands.
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Thanks I appreciate the praise! I still hold the iv in my rotation but the xxx1 could and will
Replace it once they all become unwearable. It isn’t a perfect shoe but it’s very well rounded like the Kobe iv. Let me know how it goes!
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Think these could break down in tts? Stretchy material maybe works things out?
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They might stretch out but tts fits too tight up front
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I understand. What about kobe ad mid, do you plan to check it out?
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Eventually . Just been really backed up and trying to catch up!
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Thanks so much for the review, bro! I wanted to treat myself with a new pair of kicks this holiday season, so went ahead and ordered these on Eastbay with a little discount. Kobe 6’s have been my all-time favorite performance sneaker (quick-guard playstyle with needed impact protection), followed by the Jordan 29’s. I tried the 30’s and 32’s but both were a little too heavy for me. I slept on the 31’s til now. I can’t wait to try them upon arrival! Salute from Jersey!
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Sweet, I hope they work out for you!
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Hey Schwollo,
Really appreciate your reviews man, I was wondering how these stock up against the NXTs?
Thanks for being so approachable!
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I like the xxxi low as a whole a little better. Slightly better cushioning about the same traction wise. Nxt is more stable though . All that being said I prefer regular midsoles vs drop in insoles so that’s why I like the xxxi a little more I think
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And no problem I can’t address ever single question everyone will have in a review so best for me to reply !
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How long did it take you to break in traction. One other question, these or the D rose 8
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Only a day or so to break in.
Depends what you’re looking for. Rose 8 is a great all around shoe so if you want more support but don’t want to sacrifice anything go w the Rose 8. I’d wait for sales though bc the Rose 8 isn’t moving at all.
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Just picked up the same colorway you have on eastbay for 110. Is traction durable enough for a couple shoot arounds on outdoor courts, or is it too soft.
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Yea you should be ok for shooting around not too soft. I wouldn’t do heavy duty work In them outdoors though
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Hey schwollo, do you feel like you have to wipe frequently? Was break in for the traction relatively short for you? I play on some pretty nasty courts and the traction either still hasn’t broken in for me (about 10 hours of play) or the courts are just that bad (even my CFD’s have trouble handling the grime sometimes).
Also, one thing I noticed about the shoe is that I need to tighten the laces about every couple of games. They get kind of loose after playing for a while and the containment suffers. Curious if you’ve had that issue, as I haven’t had that issue with any other shoe.
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Break in was relatively fast. First few games was meh. They aren’t curry 2 level so wiping is expected but they are better than the cfd. Maybe take them outdoors to soften up some more .
I did have the laces loosen but eventually the laces kind of wore in same area and didn’t do so as much
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PG 1 vs Jordan 31? Which one is better?
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Depends what you want. Cushioning easily better in the 31, traction and support slight edge to Pg.
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I personally like the xxxi more just bc the cushioning is so fun
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Just grabbed the Icy Blacks for $45 at an Outlet here in Boston, besides looking fly, can’t wait to get them on the court this weekend… Thanks for the quality reviews!!
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Let me know how it goes!
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Do they easy to get dirty? lol
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White fabric so yes lol
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With all honesty, I only value 2 shoe testers in the game today; guys from weartesters and you. The guys from weartesters fill their reviews with tech terms and trivia, you fill it with personal preference that are 100% true. Different styles of reviewing, both helpful to me 😀
Anyway, you spoke highly of the 31 lows, so now I’m getting a pair delivered by Saturday for a really steal price. I really hope it cracks my rotation.
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Nice! Solid outsole only though the translucent still sucks
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Appreciate the respect!
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Hi there can you share where you got the 31lows and are they still available? I also only saw such a positive review today and regret that I didnt get pair in the past few months when I tried them on at the outlets. Now Footlocker is selling the Chicago CW at original price without my size which sucks!!
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I got them off Nike.com a while back. Just look on eBay or GOAT for a pair or wait for more sales. Surprised they are still that expensive at Footlocker
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Went back to my local outlet and picked up the pair on the clearance wall which I decided to walk away from last time since they are slightly worn. $104 after the 20% off,. Not a great price but I’m happy.
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Not bad. You can always return to the outlet if you don’t like them even if you wear them
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Hooped in them the first time last night, overall performance was nearly perfect! The zoom air/flightspeed combination gives me just right amount of bounce and cushioning. Truly Great. One minor issue I had was the tongue rubbing against my leg (I was wearing no show socks for the better look which was a bad idea…), and eventually got blisters on both my legs. Sigh… No more no show socks for them I guess.
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Glad to hear it!
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Hey Schwollo, could you please explain the purpose of Jordan Brand’s Flight plate?
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Simple explanation: it’s zoom air without any foam in between the floor and your foot. The plate pushes down onto the Zoom directly. It doesn’t give any extra energy return but it feels great when it’s protruding on the outsole and it pushes right into your foot for a nice bouncy feel.
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Ah i see; so the flight plate is sandwiched between the strobel and the zoom. pretty cool.
Thanks!
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